THE Sheriff of York went back to his fishmongering roots this week when he paid a visit to the York Food Festival.

Sheriff John Kenny dropped by at midday on Wednesday to show festival crowds how to fillet a fish, while The Demo Chef Phil Leverington showed visitors the best way to cook a meal fit for the Civic Party.

Sheriff John has spent his working life in the fish industry, having begun his career in Newgate market and St Sampson’s market. Since he was 15, John has been steadily growing his skills and knowledge of fishmongering which led him to be named Best Fishmonger in the North of England by the National Food Panel, The Seafish Industry Authority, the Scottish Salmon Board and The British Trout Association.

John’s fishmongering business is now in the control of his son, Andrew - the third generation of the family to take up the trade.